As A Religious Minority Member I Feel 200 Percent More Insecure Than An Ordinary Muslim Pakistani

A Pakistani Christian writes a letter to a national newspaper expressing his insecurities as one alienated from the society.

The insecurity of minorities in Pakistan

A copy of his letter is presebted below:

Sir:

Social evils destroy societies. Pakistan is amongst one of those countries that are facing various social evils affecting national harmony and peace.As a religious minority member, I feel 200 percent more insecure than an ordinary Muslim. Heinous crimes have been committed against the religious minorities lately, such as violence in the name of blasphemy, rape, extrajudicial killings and burning down of slums. Justice is still pending in countless cases while the state has failed to deliver equality and justice for all. Development is not the function of economic growth only. Where is Pakistan ranked as a nation fulfilling its constitutional duties towards the minorities? Sometimes I feel nothing can stir the conscience of the people.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has ordered the federal government to form a National Council of Minorities’ Rights (NCMR) for the protection of minority rights and ensuring religious harmony. The order further stated that those responsible that those responsible for hate speech on social media must be brought to justice and children who face harassment at schools because of their religious beliefs should be protected. The apex court also ordered the formation of a special force to protect the places of worship of the minorities.Chief Justice (CJ) Tassaduq Hussain Jillani ordered the federal and provincial governments to fulfil the employment quota for minorities in all services. The court asked the registrar to form a three-member bench to ensure the order is carried out. The new bench will also take up any case related to discrimination against minorities. The said rulings were made in the detailed judgment of a suo motu case taken on the suicide bombing attack on a church in Peshawar in September 2013. Pakistani Christians have welcomed the CJ’s orders. We can only hope that after clear instructions from the CJ, the government takes positive steps towards making minorities feel secure in the country.